• Don’s been back home for almost a month now and I’ve noticed a change in Scout. She’s been with us over 13 years and has lived through the prolonged absence of one or the other of us many times. It comes along with working in theater and film. She doesn’t like it when one of us is gone, but she’s pretty resilient. This time, however, when Don leaves the house to run an errand or go into the city for an audition, she goes into a funk. Though she hangs out with me for a little while, mostly she waits for Don. She goes into the living room and stares out the window. She parks herself on the floor of the kitchen facing the door. She starts at every noise, thinking it’s him. I will call out to her and ask her to come in the den with me, but she won’t. She never used to be that way.
More evidence that she’s getting older, that these things aren’t as easy for her anymore. She lost her brother recently, then Don went away for a long time. It’s too much for my little girl. Now I will be going away in a month. We really have to take her into account now as we make decisions as to who’s working where and for how long. We always have, of course, but now she is more needy, more vulnerable than ever. She’s our child and her comfort and peace of mind has to be a top priority.
• I’m finishing up an Obsession Scarf which will soon be on its way to a customer. Then I will start on more banners as they are currently sold out! Wow. I’m so glad you like them. Thank you to everyone who purchased one. Meredith and I just made our 99th sale on Etsy! How can that be possible?
(I just realized that the color of this vase matches the color that’s used in my menu and the titles on the sidebar.)
• I want to steer you toward one of my favorite blogs – that of my friend, Martha. It’s called Poetry and a Cup of Tea and it is simply wonderful. Martha loves poetry and literature and all sorts of other things. She writes beautifully and shares her heart in every post. She also has a great sense of humor.
I think we were separated at birth. I cannot tell you how many times she has written about something that I remember from my childhood, or an author that I was sure no one else loved as much as me. Yesterday she wrote about The Fighting Prince of Donegal, a Disney movie from our youth, and the Scholastic paperback version of Disney’s story that she still has.
I had that book, too. And I watched that movie countless times when I was a kid. I had a huge crush on Peter McEnery, who played the lead.
And I thought I was the only one.
She’s written about The Barbie Game (yes, I had one) and The Girl of the Limberlost (one of my very favorite books ever.) She tells a great story and she always shares a poem with her readers.
Stop in and say hello. I’m crazy about her.
• I often talk about my grandmother and her skill as a needlewoman. She was a strong influence in my life and the life of my siblings. My sister, Meredith, just wrote a post about her. Click here to see some of my grandmother’s incredible handwork.
• Did you know I almost always respond to your comments? Yep. Right there under your comment. If you’re interested, you can either check back here or you can put a check in that little box that says you want to see the response via email. Then, as if by magic, my response is sent to your inbox. I can’t guarantee something profound every time, but I do my best!
• Today is your last chance to be entered in the giveaway for a copy of Prague Winter by Madeleine Albright. Just scroll down and leave a comment on that post, if you are interested. I’m picking the winner this evening.
Happy Thursday.
Claudia, my dear friend, I am speechless! (and you know that’s a first for me!) I am humbled and so touched that you mentioned my blog in today’s post. Sometimes, when I’m frantically writing at 5 in the morning before work, I wonder if it is really worth it and then encouragement like yours comes along and keeps me writing. Thank you so much for your kind words. Have a wonderful day xxoo, Martha
Your blog is a gem, Martha!
Claudia, I Love this post. especially since whenever I read a new blog it almost, with out exception comes on your advice. Thank You for being so generous and sharing your amazing life with us! -Judy A-
It’s my pleasure, Judy.
Poor Scout, she looks relaxed in the picture. They are our babies and we love them so.
We sure do, Ann!
You probably already do this, but just in case…one time my husband had to be away for a couple days and I noticed that giving our gal a t-shirt he’d been wearing eased her pining. She would hold it in her mouth, fling it over her shoulder and strut in circles with a happy/waggy tail. Just having his scent near seemed to comfort her. I’d send you one of my husband’s stinky t’s but I’m pretty sure Scout would be happier with one of Don’s. :)
Btw, love your blog and Scout is such a sweetie.
Thanks so much for the advice, Janine!
I discovered Poetry and a Cup of Tea a little while ago and I love it! Martha does a wonderful job and I have enjoyed every post of hers. You two bloggers are my favs!
She’s wonderful, isn’t she, Susan? So glad you discovered her.
Pour Scout… we adjust our schedules around our dogs, too, as much as we can. Doesn’t seem silly to us, either.
I’m going to go look at your friend’s blog… my sister and I had crushes on Peter McEnery, too… as young teens. I wonder where he is today? I wonder if you can get that movie?
Good questions, Mary Ann! This might take some detective work!
Checked out your Grandmother’s work…beautiful! You and Meredith did indeed inherit the talent! Sorry to hear about Scout….I got the impression this is a relatively new thing with her. Gonna check out your friends blog later…sounds interesting! ;)
Yes, it is a new thing – she just gets depressed when Don leaves.
Hi Claudia!
First off, I can’t believe Don has been home nearly a month already! Feels like just last week to me. Time is a-flying.
I know just how Scout feels, there has been too much change and upheaval of late for me too. Sending her a commiserating woof woof arf arf from my two woolie lump lumps and a tummy rub from me.
Thank you so much for introducing Martha to us, I have enjoyed her posts on A Favorite Thing very much.
I got such a kick out of mention of Peter McEnery – he was positively swoon worthy wasn’t he?! He’s in one of my favorite films from childhood, The Moon Spinners. With Hayley Mills of course, another fave.
And I had The Barbie Game too. My little girlfriends and I would roll about in laughter whenever someone got Poindexter — poor Poindexter. I found my Barbie money at my parents house after my dad passed away and last year I enclosed it in my husbands birthday card as a stand in for his present. AND I also found a Barbie Game at my parents house, sealed in cellophane — I think my mom must have found it at a yard sale. I haven’t gotten around to opening it yet.
Happy almost weekend!
Sally
Loved the Moonspinners – and I wanted to be Hayley Mills!
Good Morning Claudia – So glad your garlands are selling so well! I am not the least bit surprised – they are so beautiful! I love mine. Scout is definitely going thru a period of lots of adjustments. Don’t you know she frets and worries daily about Riley? They are so human – regardless of what people say. I was going to say the same thing that someone else before me did. When we leave, I put my pillowcase on Bella’s pillow that she sleeps on. When we leave, our granddaughter comes over and stays at our house which helps tremendously. Then when I return home, I just take off the case and wash it. There is something about her having that item that smells like me (can’t be too bad a smell – ha). Might try it. Bella also loves to drag out towels after we have showered. She just takes them in the hall and lays on them. They have funny traits but it all goes back to them wanting to be near us.
Have a great day! It’s suppose to be near 70 here today. YEA!
Judy
I may just go upstairs and grab one of D’s old t-shirts.
Claudia the older my Charlie gets I see him worrying more while I’m gone then when he was younger. I think they become less able to ‘adjust’ and I can relate! I do my best to comfort him when I’m home, but I still must travel and visit my Mom. He isn’t left alone but still it’s me who is his mama!
hugs, Linda
Gosh – I hate seeing her worry. I do enough worrying for the both of us!
I am looking forward to reading Martha’s blog!
I love your blog and Meredith’s too – so much beauty!
Scout is a sweetie-dog!
And finally, that aqua vase with the lavender flowers! I might just pin that photo!
Go ahead – pin it!
Hugs to poor little Scoutie..I hate seeing animals upset..if they could only tell us how they feel..I am going to check out Martha’s blog and your Grandma’s stitching now..
I know – I don’t like seeing animals upset, either!
Perhaps if you take a car ride or a walk each day, for at least 30 min. — leaving Don and Scout behind — and then come back, she’ll get used to the fact that even though you go out, you will come back. There was a book published recently (“I thought you were dead”) about a man and his “getting on in years” dog, Stella. (That quote is presumably Stella’s inner thought when he returns after a long trip.) It’s meant in good humor, but in fact a vet told me once that the reason animals respond with such unbridled joy when we come home (even a short trip to the store) because they really don’t know if we’re coming back. It has to do with their inability to grasp time. And yet….. our dog used to wait by the window EVERY NIGHT at 5pm to watch for my grandmother to come down the street. So much for the grasping time, theory!
I do go out and she sees me come back. She sees Don come back, too. But, darn it, she still gets in a funk when Don goes away – like today, when he’s in NYC.
Poor honey. I know you brought her with you when Don was away. I’m guessing she’d be more comfortable with Don at home… at least her surroundings would be familiar. They are like children, and they do sense things (and know how to tell time!) Can she see Skype? (Not sure if Dogs really see surfaces like screens…) Perhaps Don could skype you while you’re away each night. Even if she can’t see you she could hear your voice!
Oh my gosh, I love Gene Stratton-Porter books like Girl of the Limberlost, I have a whole collection of them. I bought my 1st one for 75¢ as a teen at a rummage sale. It was The Harvester. I wish I could afford to buy her nature books but they are very expensive when you can find them.
I received my banner yesterday. I love the colors. Thank you. You are quick to mail. Love the first picture of your baby. Poor thing doesn’t want his daddy to go away. My Springer was so upset today that the little Yorkie went for a haircut. He is her mother you know. Now they are sound asleep on the couch next to each other.
I will check Marth’s blog out..
Your sweet girl takes comfort in the two of you. You have been blessings for her, and she for you.
I am so glad you are having success with your creations, but I am not surprised. Your work is lovely.
I’ve got to double check your book post. I am almost certain I commented. That is a book I would love.
Sorry to hear Scout is hurting so much when Don goes away. I love the suggestion about the T-shirt. Maybe she would enjoy that!
If I can echo ladyhawthorne, oh my gosh, on the mention of Girl of the Limberlost. My grandmother gave me that book years and years ago and I’ve read it too many times to count. I too have the whole collection and it is one of my most prized possessions. If you ever have the chance take the tours of the homes of Gene Stratton-Porter in northwestern Indiana, they are beautiful old homes and grounds that will bring her stories alive in a special way.
Claudia, I think the dog looks content, in the photo. It is hard for animals to understand the absence of their loved ones. I know they get lonely . Sad when you think of it. Take care of yourself . xoxo,Susie
Oh, poor Scout. Ever since our Lab died last month, my dachshund has been so sad. He whines a lot, sits on my lap constantly and my son said whenever I leave the house, he sits by the door and cries. It’s so heartbreaking.
What a sweet photo of Scout. I like everyone’s suggestion of a T-shirt of yours that she can sleep with. Maybe Don can take her on a road trip and visit you?
Oh, the memories of long summers playing games like the Barbie Game and Monopoly. We would play Monopoly until it got late and save it just as it was until the next day.
Off to read Meredith’s blog and the new one you suggested to us!
Sorry your girl is out of sorts. I hope she will settle down as you both get your routine back to normal.
I will check out your Martha’s blog!
Hugs, Lisa
Change is more difficult as we get older. It looks like it’s that same for our furry kids too. Scout looks so sweet but sad on that pillow. If it’s not too late I’d love to be entered into the give away. I need to lose myself in some good books.
Our nearly 13 year old terrier has been on prozac since last summer and can no longer tolerate being crated. We were crating her because she tends to leak, now and then, after a nap. That just isn’t cool when she’s napping on the couch! Fortunately, there is a medicine for that as well. The vet said it is common in older dogs to get stressed like this. It is very hard to see them go through these struggles, isn’t it?
I have visited Martha’s blog on many an occasion. I went to your sisters today ( but didn’t leave a comment..rushed on lunch break )
You said something about always responding to comments. I rarely do. I usually try to just go visit the blogger that commented when I get the chance.
The reason I am bringing this up is that I wonder what other people do ? For instance, UNLESS I have a specific question that I asked when I comment, I won’t come back to see if there was a reply, I also do NOT check the box to inform me about comments in email because I have enough email to sort through so I don’t want to make it worse, lol
If you read this you might want to do a poll or something as to what people actually do….
I know that if someone comments but they don’t have a blog, I’ll email them but other than that I just try to visit their blog within the next few days yet if I threw a party and had to do that to 100 people on a weekly basis it would change
Just wondering what people do in general ? :) And I THINK what they do and how they handle it all depends on how long they’ve been blogging and the traffic they get : for perspective I’ve been blogging for under a year now
Oh Claudia, It’s so hard watching our babies age knowing what’s around the corner..Lovely post..We need to take care of our Sr.s.
Oh Claudia, your post brought tears to my eyes. It is hard to see our beloved pets age, and their changes. I remember this so with my Frankie. But I must share, that though hard At times, I made a conscious effort to enjoy every single moment with her. Though her passing was one of the hardest losses I’ve had to date, the taking in of everything about her truly helped me move through the grieving process. I also still feel her with me… In a new way. Love and hugs to you, Don and Scout.